It was a hot September afternoon in 1959 when the Act of Consecration of Italy took place in Catania. It marked the conclusion of the 16th Eucharistic Congress. Participation was widespread, with the square and the nearby streets packed with the faithful.
A gesture of considerable spiritual importance
Nuns, priests, and faithful from every part of Italy took part in the Eucharistic celebration on September 13, 1959. The monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament had been placed on a triumphal float so that everyone could see it and direct their prayers to it. Cardinal Mimmi, the priests, and the people of God followed it on foot. After the monstrance had been placed on the altar for Holy Mass, the Cardinal, kneeling, read the Act of Consecration of Italy to the Immaculate Heart of Mary before the Eucharistic Jesus, in the name of the episcopate and the entire Italian people. That gesture was of considerable spiritual importance. The solemn act had been preceded by a highly attended pilgrimage of the statue of Our Lady of Fatima to the 92 provincial capitals of our country, from Sicily to Trieste, so that the population would be prepared for the important event.
So that Italy may continue to be a βcenter of truth and lightβ
At the close of the Eucharistic Congress of Catania, Pope John XXIII also sent a radio message in which he hoped that Italians would imitate Mary, Β«the most perfect model of union with JesusΒ», and then urged them: Β«Through her maternal intercession, may they implore for the Church the gifts of unity and peace, and above all, a more flourishing and faithful flowering of priestly vocations. In this way, consecration will become a reason for ever more serious commitment to the practice of Christian virtues, a most valid defense against the evils that threaten them, and a source of prosperity even in temporal matters, according to Christ's promisesΒ».Β Toward the conclusion, the Pontiff asked them to pray that Italy might continue to be Β«an example of gentle and generous virtues, a cradle of saints, a center of truth and lightΒ».
Today, too, we can pray for our nation and for the whole world. Below, we offer the prayer recited in the Holy House of Loreto:
Enkindle, O Mary, the lamp of faith in every home in Italy and throughout the world. Grant every mother and every father your pure heart, so that they may fill their homes with the light and love of God.
Help us, O Mother of Yes, to pass on to the new generations the Good News that God saves us in Jesus, giving us His Spirit of Love.
May the song of the Magnificat never be silenced in Italy or throughout the world, but continue from generation to generation through the little and the humble, the meek, the merciful, and the pure in heart, who trustingly await the return of Jesus, the blessed fruit of your womb.
O merciful, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
And do you remember to pray for your country? Share your thoughts in the comments.
